The beautiful teachings of Islam

Trials and Tribulations in our lives

We often see that when we
are faced with difficult circumstances in our lives, we tend to question why such
a trial or difficulty is occurring in our lives. We often ask ourselves “what
have I done to deserve this? Why me? Allah SWT says in chapter 2, verse 155 of
the Quran:

“And We will surely test you with
something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but
give good tidings to the patient” Quran 2:155

Based on the above verse we know
that every single one of us will be tested in this life at some point in time. So,
when we are faced with such situation in life, we should not have the attitude
of “why me?” but rather look at the intended wisdom behind trials.

Who were tested the most?

Prophet Muhammad SAW was once asked, “O Messenger of
Allah, who are the people who are most severely tried?” He replied, “The people
who are tested the most severely are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the
next best and the next best, and a man will be tested in accordance with his
level of faith; the stronger his faith, the more severe will be his test”
(sahih, Ahmad).

So why did Allah put the Prophets (who are the most beloved
to Allah) through the most severe tests? What is the logic behind that? This is
something we should really ponder upon. Why didn’t Allah make this life very
easy and without any trouble for the Prophets? He SWT could easily have done
that if he chose. But instead all the Prophets lead a very difficult life, they
were made to face several severe challenges in this life.

Trials
are a blessing from Allah in disguise

In another hadith narration we learn that – “If Allah intends good
for someone, then he afflicts him with trials.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5321, Grade: Sahih

We see that through tests
Allah intends good for a person. What we may see as an apparent setback in our
life can lead us to a lot of goodness in the long term.

Trials can take us out of our comfort-zone, and thus be directly responsible for our personal growth.

It brings us closer to Allah. This is a very big blessing. Our goal is closeness to Allah SWT and to do things for His pleasure alone. If a trial in our life help us come closer to Allah, then it is a blessing even though we may not realize it at that moment.

” If Allah loves a people, then he afflicts them with trials. Whoever is patient has the reward of patience, and whoever is impatient has the fault of impatience. ” Source: Musnad Aḥmad 23122, Grade: Sahih

Trials eliminate sins

“The servant will continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin.” Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2398, Grade: Sahih

Trials can
lead us to great rewards if we practice patience.

When the child of a servant dies, Allah says
to the angels: Have you taken the life of my servant’s child? They say yes.
Allah says: Have you taken the fruit of his heart? They say yes. Allah says:
What has my servant said? They say: He has praised you and said to Allah we
belong and to Allah we return. Allah says: Build a house for my servant in
Paradise and name it the House of Praise. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1021, Grade: Hasan

Verily, with greater rewards come greater
trials. Verily, when Allah loves a people, he will test them. Whoever is
pleased will be satisfied, and whoever is displeased will have indignation. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2396, Grade: Hasan

When we are faced with trials,
we look at trials as something that is here to mess up our lives really bad
when in fact it is a blessing from Allah. During trials, one may stop
worshipping Him the way we used to, we may complain about our life, we become
angry or irritated because of these trials. However, if we choose to be patient
and remind ourselves that it was the Prophets that went through the MOST SEVERE
tests and Allah sent them those tests because He wanted good for them. Then
this will lead to acceptance and peace during trials and we won’t fall short of
worshipping Him SWT. Trials have immense benefits for us in this life and the
hereafter. We need to submit to the Will of Allah in all situations and do our
best to seek His pleasure.

This will lead us to
ultimate happiness. May Allah allow us to be grateful, not be short-sighted and
serve Him in the best of manners. And may Allah reduce the suffering and injustice
people are facing in the world. Ya Allah, assist the poor, needy and the oppressed.
Ya Allah, assist people during their trials and help them overcome those trials
through reliance upon you. Help us understand that this dunya is not meant to
be paradise and help us to see the hidden wisdoms in all trials no matter how difficult
the trial may be.